Mic Pre-Amp Help

[Big Kenny]

At least you'll know for sure that if your recordings suck it isn't the preamp!

I think it is truly a great time to be recording when budget pres cost $300- $400 but by doubling this relatively small investment you can get a world class pre.

I pay $40 month for high speed Internet. That's $2,400 over five years.
I pay $70 month for satelite TV. That's $4,200 over five years.
I pay $25 month for netflix.
etc...etc.

A Neve 1290 preamp for $600 -$700. That's $10 - $12 month amortized over five years.

Over a ten year period, the contrast gets even more striking. The way i see it, quality recording equipment is a bargain if you shop wisely.

I'm leavin copies of your rationale all over the house for my wife! You are wise and prudent.

 

[Outlaws]

I am a firm believer that it isn't the equipment, its the room and the musician.

So hows the room look where you are micing this stuff?

 

[Soundmind??]

All of these comments make good sense to me. High end gear is a good investment if you are seriously planning pro quality recording, but for a small home studio, if it sounds good for what you are doing and is a definite improvement in sound quality, buy it. If you persist for many years, you will have a good collection of gear with a lot of variety to choose from. Some times, gear like the brick will be just what youre looking for with a guitar part of certain voice. I just hate to see someone buy a $2000 pre on plastic, and sell it a year from now on e-bay for 60-70% not including 18-20% interest on the card. If you're serious and are in it for the long haul, go for the best, even if it's one thing at a time. The high end stuff will still be working in 10 years for two reasons, high quality, and if it does break, it will be worth fixing.

 

[tdukex]

I'm leavin copies of your rationale all over the house for my wife! You are wise and prudent.

It hasn't worked often enough on my wife! I think it's a question of perceived value.

 

[darrin_h2000]

I cannot believe Im the only one using the Line 6...its got 6 models including the Neve 1076...Avalon...API...etc...for only 200 bucks...leaving enough to start a fund towards a good mic.

 

[basstracker7769]

Buy a used DBX 386 and have Audio Upgrades www.audioupgrades.com mod it for you i own one and it sounds amazing it will end up costing u around 400 when all said and done but will smoke alot of big dollar ticket Pres around. clean clear accurate is what you will get.

 

[SMC Productions]

Buy a used DBX 386 and have Audio Upgrades www.audioupgrades.com mod it for you i own one and it sounds amazing it will end up costing u around 400 when all said and done but will smoke alot of big dollar ticket Pres around. clean clear accurate is what you will get.

I didn't see the 386 on their prist list.
What exactly do they do to it?

 

[dgatwood]

I am using a digi 002R. Mic wise I have an AT3035, an AT4050 and a couple of 57's and 58's..... I have been rather dissatisfied with the vocal sound.

I would start by getting a more appropriate mic. Those mics have their uses, but from what folks have said about them, I doubt they'd be my first pick. I'm not sure about the AT mics. I know from experience that the SM57 and SM58 wouldn't be---they'd probably be somewhere around dead last.

From http://www.recordingreview.com/arti...-Review/A-Versatile-Condenser-Microphone.html

"The AT4050 is hit or miss with vocals. Sometimes it's great. Sometimes it's top end just too much. I must say that it has less top end that my MXL V69, but still sometimes too much depending on the singer and the music we are recording."

The AT3035 ought to be better, but it still may not work well for your particular voice.

 

[Hollowdan]

I know this topic has been worn to death, but after searching here and gearslutz I am still no where closer to making a decision. I need a decent mic pre for home recording. I am using a digi 002R. Mic wise I have an AT3035, an AT4050 and a couple of 57's and 58's. Mainly just recording guitars, bass and vocals. Drums are usually done at a studio. I have been using the built in Pre's on the 002 but I have been rather dissatisfied with the vocal sound. I have about $300 bucks to spend on a new pre amp. I was looking into some of the joemeek stuff for the extra features like comp. and eq/enhancing.. But I really dont know. I need some advice. Thanks!

Jerry

To answer your question:

It will be hard to find a good pre for under $300, I agree, but not impossible. I have a phonic t8100, it is a 2 channel tube mic pre that is usually around $260 NEW! It has two independant 12ax7 tubes. With that other $40 get on ebay and do your best to find a telefunken 12ax7 and replace one of the tubes. I put a telefunken in one side and a Mullard in the other side of mine and it sounds amazing (for $300 mind you lol) The Joe meek stuff is great don't get me wrong I am going to pick up a Joe meek soon myself. However with that said the Joek Meek stuff is very niche'y it has it's "own" sound and some people love it and some people hate it. Even for those that love it they will all tell you that it does not sound good on everything. The joe meek stuff is just not the most versatile pre's out there. And with your limited budget versatility is a big problem. IF you cannot save up $550 for a Grace 101, or $500 for a presonus eureka (my vote for best mic pre EVER under $500) then get the phonic and find an old german 12ax7 to put in each side. The other option is the presonus Blue tube DP ($250-300 I think) It also has a 12ax7 tube (again better swapped out for a telefunken, mullard, aperex bugle boy, etc.) So there you go, 2 very simple answers to help you solve your dillema. Hope this helps.

 

[Hollowdan]

P.S. the reason I keep stating to change out the tubes is because these units always come with chinese tubes. Chinese tubes are great for guitar amps because they drive really hard and distort really well. The problem with using them for a mic pre is that they drive really hard and distort really well lol. The old german tubes are as clean as can be, just pure warmth and tone. ALL my tube mic's and tube mic pre's have telefunken, mullard, or amperex bugle boy's in them. (the bugle boy is the ONLY amperex tube to get, it has a little boy playing a bugle printed on the side of the tube, if it does not have the little boy on the side do not buy it because it is a foreign made copy)

 

[SMC Productions]

To answer your question:

It will be hard to find a good pre for under $300, I agree, but not impossible. I have a phonic t8100, it is a 2 channel tube mic pre that is usually around $260 NEW!

Most places are showing this unit, discontinued!?

Any ideas?

It got GREAT reviews, and I'd like to pick one up to try out.